SuDS for Schools

What was delivered

In a bid to bring more sustainable forms of rainwater management to young people and to help schools around the North West become more resilient to flooding, United Utilities helped to provide sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) to 16 key selected schools. The project provided an impressive 78 planters and 64 rain gardens across the scheme, as well as providing outdoor learning spaces in over half of the schools in the initiative.

One great example includes our work in collaboration with Trafford Council to provide SuDS to Moorlands Junior School. The project saw the installation of rain gardens for water capture, tree pits to provide attenuation and encourage exposure to biodiversity for the schoolchildren, and a willow arch for supporting wildlife. Porous paving was also delivered as well as a Multi-Use Games Area, which has the capacity to absorb rainwater unlike conventional pavement. 

What was the impact

The effects of the projects were immediately well received, managing to drain significant impermeable areas, and improving the recreational experiences for children northwest wide.  

The installations at Moorlands Junior School managed to disconnect a significant amount of rainwater from our combined sewers meaning that the area has more capacity for dealing with high rainfall events. Additionally, the introductions of more amenities have meant that the school has been able to increase its capacity for students by 120.